THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 16, 1995 TAG: 9502160395
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
A 29-year-old police officer is recovering at home from injuries he suffered when the police car he was driving collided head-on with a stolen car late Tuesday.
The officer, Kevin Murphy, was joining a pursuit that began about 10 p.m. when the suspect's car doubled back on Princess Anne Road and slammed into Murphy's cruiser near the Freight Lane intersection in the Arrowhead section.
Murphy was trapped in the police car 20 minutes before rescue crews freed him. He was released from Sentara Norfolk General Hospital early Wednesday.
The suspect ran from the crash but was later caught by another officer. He was under guard late Wednesday at the hospital.
The nine-minute chase began near the intersection of Indian River Road and Ferrell Parkway. It ended with the collision at 10:01 p.m.
The chase was one of about six police pursuits that happened in South Hampton Roads on Tuesday; it was at least the second that ended in a crash.
Virginia Beach police spokesman Mike Carey said the pursuits represent a sudden and recent increase in cases where drivers are refusing to stop. He blamed publicity surrounding pursuits after a Jan. 21 chase ended in an accident that left two innocent people dead in Norfolk.
``I can't help but think the publicity has made people believe they can get away because we'll be reluctant try to safely apprehend them,'' Carey said. ``There have been no policy changes. Our pursuit policy is still in effect.''
Carey said this is how the Tuesday pursuit unfolded:
After a police officer ran a routine check on a 1995 Pontiac sedan's New Jersey license plates, he learned that the car had been reported stolen.
The officer activated his lights and siren, but the Pontiac sped away.
The officer pursued the suspect on an erratic route that took them briefly into Norfolk, then back to Virginia Beach.
Because of the chase's unpredictable course, Carey said, other officers had difficulty joining the pursuit. At least one intersection was cleared of traffic on the chase route, he said.
When the stolen car turned from Princess Anne Road into the parking lot of Arrowhead Shopping Center, Murphy and another officer converged to help the first officer.
After unsuccessfully trying to outmaneuver police in the parking lot, the Pontiac sped from the shopping center westbound on Princess Anne Road.
When Murphy saw a car pulling to the curb on Princess Anne Road, the officer apparently mistook that car for the suspect. Murphy thought the fleeing driver was preparing to bail out.
Murphy steered his car into the oncoming lanes and turned a spotlight onto the stopped car. Suddenly, the stolen car veered around the stopped car and slammed into Murphy's cruiser.
The suspect ran from the crash and was later caught hiding behind a bush.
Police haven't released the suspect's name because they have conflicting information about his identity.
He has been charged with eluding police, leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving. He also is charged with destroying private property for damaging a fence. Police also have a warrant charging the suspect with auto theft. They expect to serve the warrant when he is released from the hospital, Carey said.
KEYWORDS: HIGH SPEED CHASE ACCIDENT TRAFFIC by CNB